Suntory Bar is coming in hot with a three-month extravaganza of whisky, omotenashi, as well as elevated drinking culture for the ages.
Set to be hosted inside Whisky Thief at Sydney’s acclaimed Prefecture 48 – Australia’s first precinct dedicated entirely to showcasing the finest of Japanese hospitality (and a known B.H. favourite) – this limited residency promises to be one of the city’s most exciting “openings” of the year.
It all kicks off from August 8th, setting the tone with a bespoke “snack creation” crafted by renowned chef Tetsuya Wakuda – his first public dish in Australia since the closing of his iconic and eponymous restaurant.
This collaborative effort between himself and ex-Tetsuya talent/current Garaku head chef, Derek Kim, has been made to pair with Suntory’s iconic whisky highballs (particularly the smoky Hakushu Highball); and offers a small yet significant taste of what’s to come.
Across the ensuing three months, the menu will serve as a tour through Suntory’s world. Think rice-vodka Martinis with Haku, Haku twists on the Japanese Slipper, plus Manhattan reworks using Hakushu and Laphroaig Quarter Cask.
Signatures like the Laphroaig Penicillin and Maker’s Mark Gold Rush, on the other hand, sit comfortably alongside Suntory’s more playful moves – including an Irish Coffee reimagined with BOSS Coffee and a curated range of RTDs, reimagining the convenience store staple as a Sydney CBD bar-worthy beverage.
More than a pop-up, Suntory Bar is a cultural immersion. A zen garden–inspired space built for Nomikai (Japan’s beloved post-work drinking ritual). Every detail – from G&Ts to the bar snacks designed by hatted chefs – reflects the precision and hospitality that have come to define Suntory.
Over the three-month run (which officially wraps up on November 8th), you can also expect international talent to fly in for exclusive takeovers and collaborative menus: one-off events, limited cocktails, and dishes that likely won’t ever be repeated again. Walk-ins are, of course, welcome. But bookings are advised. When tickets for chef-led nights and brand collabs drop, they won’t last long.
Suntory Bar is a rare opportunity to enjoy Japan outside of Japan – right in the heart of Sydney – with the masters leading the way.
This article is presented in partnership with Suntory Global Spirits. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
